#46 Adolescent sexual decisions: Survey of attitudes & behaviors

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship of age difference between sex partners at first intercourse and the usage of effective contraceptives, and the relationship of age difference at first pregnancy and pregnancy rate. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among high school students utilizing a self-administered questionnaire. Sexually active females were categorized by partner age difference at first intercourse as less-than-or-equals, slant2 years (A), 3-5 years (B) and greater-or-equal, slanted6 years (C). The 3 groups were compared for effective contraceptive use with chi-square tests. For first pregnancy event, females were categorized as having peer-aged (less-than-or-equals, slant2 years) and older (greater-or-equal, slanted3 years) partner to consider the effect of the age difference on pregnancy rate. RESULTS: There were 1094 respondents (response rate ˜87%), 550 females and 518 males. For this analysis, 231 sexually active females (21% of sample) were included. An inverse relationship between effective birth control use and the partner age difference at first intercourse was seen [77% effective for A vs. 71% for B vs. 45% for C]. When compared to A, C showed a significant decrease in effective birth control usage (p = 0.03) and B showed non-significant decrease (p = 0.44). Of the 35 females reporting pregnancy, 20 (57%) had sex partners who were greater-or-equal, slanted3 years older at the time of first pregnancy. This group experienced a pregnancy rate 1.3 times those with peer-aged partners. Of the 12 females reporting pregnant at age less-than-or-equals, slant14 years, 8 (67%) reported the partner was greater-or-equal, slanted3 years older. The pregnancy rate of this group was twice that of those 14 years and under with a peer-aged partner. CONCLUSION: Female adolescents reporting first intercourse with a partner greater-or-equal, slanted6 years older, also reported a decrease use of effective birth control. Of those reporting pregnancy, females with an older partner experienced an increased pregnancy rate when compared to those with a peer-aged partner.